Treaty of Middelburg
As much as all of us would like to see a more equal and fair society, it is unfortunately close to impossible. There will always be a sense of injustice, or authority. I think it is an ideal that we as a society can actively strive towards, and with joint methods eventually very close to ideal that we have in our heads. It is important to acknowledge the gaps that are presented in the society right now, like for example those identified by the WHO SDGs, gender inequalities and “peace, justice, and strong institutions”. By having these two goals as our building blocks, we can start striving towards a society where people can speak their minds without being judged, or being afraid.
Team members
- ■ Vanessa Nikolenko-Saar
Why do you want to participate?
I think this an amazing opportunity to both connect and meet like minded people in a new and interactive setting. As a future public health professional, I believe in the right of speech, right of self expression, and right of thought, thus why, I believe that participating in an event like this would be really beneficial for me both for personal growth and for expanding my horizons.
What does freedom mean to you?
Freedom is a broad concept, when we talk about it, something that often comes to mind is the ability to act upon one’s desires, have the option to go or to stay, be able to express one’s opinions without the fear of getting judged or silenced. That’s what freedom is to me.
What are the biggest challenges?
I believe that one of the biggest challenges today is the lack of confidence and belief that the “frail young people” not know what they are on about. I personally have been confronted by this issue on multiple occasions, “what do you know about this at your young age”. Oftentimes, older adults do not believe that we have the capabilities or the knowledge to speak up and be informed about our decisions and opinions.
Do you have a message?
I think my thoughts regarding the definition of freedom was largely shaped by philosophy, and more specifically by Immanuel Kant. Thus why, it is only appropriate that I share one of his quotes here: "Freedom is independence of the compulsory will of another, and in so far as it tends to exist with the freedom of all according to a universal law, it is the one sole original inborn right belonging to every man in virtue of his humanity." - Immanuel Kant
